Service switch for utility meter

ABSTRACT

A utility meter includes an electrical conductor portion, a service switch, and a heat sink. The electrical conductor portion provides electrical communication between a supply line terminal and a load line terminal, and the supply line terminal electrical communication an electrical source. The service switch is selectively operable to interrupt electrical communication between the supply line terminal and the load line terminal. The heat sink is in thermal communication with the electrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by a current passing through the electrical conductor portion between the supply line terminal and the load line terminal.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/849,471, filed May 17, 2019, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a utility meter, and particularly to autility meter having a service switch and one or more heat dissipationfeatures.

SUMMARY

In one independent aspect, a utility meter includes an electricalconductor portion, a service switch, and a heat sink. The electricalconductor portion provides electrical communication between a supplyline terminal and a load line terminal, and the supply line terminalelectrical communication an electrical source. The service switch isselectively operable to interrupt electrical communication between thesupply line terminal and the load line terminal. The heat sink is inthermal communication with the electrical conductor portion to dissipateheat generated by a current passing through the electrical conductorportion between the supply line terminal and the load line terminal.

In some aspects, the electrical conductor portion is a first electricalconductor portion, the supply line terminal is a first supply lineterminal, and the load line terminal is a first load line terminal, andthe utility meter further includes a second electrical conductor portionproviding electrical communication between a second supply line terminaland a second load line terminal, and the service switch is selectivelyoperable to interrupt electrical communication between the first supplyline terminal and the first load line terminal and also selectivelyoperable to interrupt electrical communication between the second supplyline terminal and the second load line terminal.

In some aspects, the first electrical conductor portion carries acurrent having a first phase and the second electrical conductor portioncarries a current having a second phase different from the first phase.

In some aspects, the heat sink is a first heat sink, and the utilitymeter further includes a second heat sink in thermal communication withthe second electrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by acurrent passing through the second electrical conductor portion betweenthe second supply line terminal and the second load line terminal.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a base supportingthe service switch and the heat sink, wherein the service switch ispositioned adjacent a first side of the base and the heat sink ispositioned adjacent a second side of the base opposite the first side.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a currenttransformer positioned adjacent one of the supply line terminal and theload line terminal, and the current transformer is positioned in arecess.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a currenttransformer positioned adjacent one of the supply line terminal and theload line terminal, and the current transformer includes a stacked coilextending around the one of the supply line terminal and the load lineterminal, the coil oriented parallel to a base supporting the supplyline terminal and the load line terminal.

In some aspects, the heat sink includes a flat plate and a plurality ofholes passing through the flat plate.

In some aspects, the supply line terminal includes a supply line bladeconfigured to engage a first socket, and the load line terminal includesa load line blade configured to engage a second socket.

In another independent aspect, a utility meter includes a firstelectrical conductor portion, a second electrical conductor portion, aservice switch, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The firstelectrical conductor portion provides electrical communication between afirst supply line terminal and a first load line terminal, and the firstsupply line terminal electrical communication an electrical source. Thesecond electrical conductor portion provides electrical communicationbetween a second supply line terminal and a second load line terminal,and the second supply line terminal is in electrical communication withan electrical source. The service switch is selectively operable tointerrupt electrical communication between the first supply lineterminal and the first load line terminal, and to interrupt electricalcommunication between the first supply line terminal and the first loadline terminal. The first heat sink is in thermal communication with thefirst electrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by acurrent passing through the first conductor portion between the supplyline terminal and the load line terminal. The second heat sink is inthermal communication with the second electrical conductor portion todissipate heat generated by a current passing through the secondelectrical conductor portion between the second supply line terminal andthe second load line terminal.

In some aspects, the first electrical conductor portion carries acurrent having a first phase and the second electrical conductor portioncarries a current having a second phase different from the first phase.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a base supportingthe service switch and the heat sink, wherein the service switch ispositioned adjacent a first side of the base and the heat sink ispositioned adjacent a second side of the base opposite the first side.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a pair of currenttransformers, each of the current transformers positioned adjacent anassociated one of the first load line terminal and the second load lineterminal, each of the current transformers positioned in an associatedrecess.

In some aspects, the utility meter further includes a currenttransformer including a stacked coil extending around one of the firstsupply line terminal and the first load line terminal, the coil orientedparallel to a base supporting the supply line terminal and the load lineterminal.

In some aspects, the first heat sink is a different type of heat sinkthan the second heat sink.

In some aspects, at least one of the first heat sink and the second heatsink includes a flat plate and a plurality of holes passing through theflat plate.

In some aspects, the first supply line terminal includes a first bladeconfigured to engage a first socket, and the second supply line terminalincludes a second blade configured to engage a second socket.

Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a utility service line and a utility meter.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a utility service line and a utility meter, withthe utility meter in a disconnected position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one side of a utility meter.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another side of the utility meter ofFIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of electrical conductors and heat sinks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the following drawings. Thedisclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or ofbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including”and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as usedherein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms“mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a utility meter 10 that can be coupled to autility socket 12. The utility socket 12 is coupled to a utility serviceline including a supply line 14 and a load line 16. As shown in FIG. 2 ,in the illustrated embodiment, the utility socket 12 includes a pair offirst socket terminals 20 that are in electrical communication with thesupply line 14, and a pair of second socket terminals 22 that are inelectrical communication with the load line 16. Similarly, the utilitymeter 10 includes a pair of first meter terminals 24 and a pair ofsecond meter terminals 26. The first meter terminals 24 are engageablewith the first socket terminals 20 of the socket 12, while the secondmeter terminals 26 are engageable with the second socket terminals 22 ofthe socket 12. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the socketterminals 20, 22 is a jaw-type connector, and each of the meterterminals 24, 26 is a blade that is received between the jaw of theassociated socket terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the utility meter 10 also includes a relay orservice switch 30 positioned on a meter body or base 28. In someembodiments, the service switch 30 can be actuated to selectivelyinterrupt or disconnect electrical communication between the supply line14 and the load line 16, and/or may be operable to limit current passingto the load line 16. Referring to FIG. 4 , the first meter terminals 24include a phase A supply line terminal 24 a and a phase C supply lineterminal 24 c. The second meter terminals include a phase A load lineterminal 26 a and a phase C load line terminal 26 c. The service switch30 is connected between the supply line terminals 24 and the load lineterminals 26. In some embodiments, the service switch 30 can be actuatedremotely to disconnect and connect the supply line 14 and the load line16.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a first heat sink 42 is positioned adjacenta side of the meter body 28 (FIG. 4 ) that is opposite the serviceswitch 30. In the illustrated embodiment, a meter hanger 48 (FIG. 4 ) ispositioned adjacent the same side of the body 28 as the heat sink 42.The first heat sink 42 is in thermal communication with a conductor 50(FIG. 5 ) through which current passes between the phase A supply lineterminal 24 a and the phase A load line terminal 26 a (e.g., phase Acurrent). Similarly, a second heat sink 46 is positioned adjacent a sideof the meter body 28 (FIG. 4 ) that is opposite the service switch 30.The second heat sink 46 is in thermal communication with a conductor 54(FIG. 5 ) through which current passes between the phase C supply lineterminal 24 c and the phase C load line terminal 26 c (e.g., phase Ccurrent).

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a current transformer or coil 38 is positionedadjacent each of the load line terminals 26 a, 26 c. In particular, acurrent transformer 38 a is positioned adjacent the phase A load lineterminal 26 a, and a current transformer 38 c is positioned adjacent thephase C load line terminal 26 c. In the illustrated embodiment, thecurrent transformers 38 are positioned in a plane that is parallel tothe meter base 28 and positioned away from a front of the meter 10. Inaddition, the current transformers 38 are positioned in pockets orrecesses 40 (FIG. 4 ) in the base 28, and covers 66 are positioned oversides of the current transformers 38 to further increase the magneticshielding.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the second heat sink 46 is afinned heat sink and the first heat sink 42 is a flat plate heat sinkhaving a plurality of holes for increasing surface area. In otherembodiments, both heat sinks 42, 46 may be the same type. Also, in otherembodiments, one or more of the heat sinks 42, 46 may be a differenttype. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat sinks 42, 46 are formedfrom a metallic material; in other embodiments, the heat sinks may beformed from a different material (e.g., a thermally conductive plastic).In addition, in some embodiments, the base 28 (or at least portions ofthe base 28) can be formed from a thermally conductive plastic andconnected to the conductors 50, 54 and terminals 24, 26 by metal stockor heat pipes. Also, in the illustrated embodiment the heat sinks 42, 46are positioned near a central portion of the base 28; in otherembodiments, the heat sinks 42, 46 may be formed or embedded in aperipheral portion of the base 28 and extend along at least a portion ofthe perimeter.

The first heat sink 42 dissipates heat generated by the phase A current,while the second heat sink 46 dissipates heat generated by the phase Ccurrent. The heat sinks 42, 46 permit the service switch 30 to carrylarge currents (e.g., 320 A) by removing excess heat and maintaining themeter terminals 24, 26 within specified temperature limits. The heatsinks 42, 46 are positioned on an outer surface of the meter enclosure,thereby conveying the heat outside of the meter enclosure.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures arepresented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitationupon the concepts and principles presented herein. As such, it will beappreciated that variations and modifications exist within the scope andspirit of one or more independent aspects as described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A utility meter comprising: an electricalconductor portion providing electrical communication between a supplyline terminal and a load line terminal, the supply line terminal inelectrical communication with an electrical source; a service switchselectively operable to interrupt electrical communication between thesupply line terminal and the load line terminal; a heat sink extendingfrom the electrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by acurrent passing through the electrical conductor portion between thesupply line terminal and the load line terminal; and a base supportingthe service switch and the heat sink, wherein the service switch ispositioned adjacent to a first side of the base, and the heat sink ispositioned adjacent to a second side of the base opposite the firstside, the heat sink position at or adjacent to a central portion of thebase.
 2. The utility meter of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductorportion is a first electrical conductor portion, the current passingthrough the electrical conductor portion is a first current passingthrough the first conductor portion, the supply line terminal is a firstsupply line terminal, and the load line terminal is a first load lineterminal, the utility meter further comprising a second electricalconductor portion providing electrical communication between a secondsupply line terminal and a second load line terminal, wherein theservice switch is selectively operable to interrupt electricalcommunication between the first supply line terminal and the first loadline terminal and also selectively operable to interrupt electricalcommunication between the second supply line terminal and the secondload line terminal.
 3. The utility meter of claim 2, wherein the firstelectrical conductor portion carries the first current having a firstphase and the second electrical conductor portion carries a secondcurrent having a second phase different from the first phase.
 4. Theutility meter of claim 2, wherein the heat sink is a first heat sink,the utility meter further comprising a second heat sink extending fromthe second electrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by asecond current passing through the second electrical conductor portionbetween the second supply line terminal and the second load lineterminal.
 5. The utility meter of claim 1, further comprising a currenttransformer positioned adjacent one of the supply line terminal and theload line terminal, the current transformer positioned in a recess. 6.The utility meter of claim 1, further comprising a current transformerpositioned adjacent one of the supply line terminal and the load lineterminal, the current transformer including a stacked coil extendingaround the one of the supply line terminal and the load line terminal,the stacked coil oriented parallel to the base supporting the supplyline terminal and the load line terminal.
 7. The utility meter of claim1, wherein the heat sink includes a flat plate and a plurality of holespassing through the flat plate.
 8. The utility meter of claim 1, whereinthe supply line terminal includes a supply line blade configured toengage a first socket, and the load line terminal includes a load lineblade configured to engage a second socket.
 9. A utility metercomprising: a first electrical conductor portion providing electricalcommunication between a first supply line terminal and a first load lineterminal, the first supply line terminal electrical communication anelectrical source; a second electrical conductor portion providingelectrical communication between a second supply line terminal and asecond load line terminal, the second supply line terminal in electricalcommunication with the electrical source; a service switch selectivelyoperable to interrupt electrical communication between the first supplyline terminal and the first load line terminal, and to interruptelectrical communication between the first supply line terminal and thefirst load line terminal; a first heat sink extending from the firstelectrical conductor portion to dissipate heat generated by a firstcurrent passing through the first electrical conductor portion betweenthe first supply line terminal and the first load line terminal; asecond heat sink extending from the second electrical conductor portionto dissipate heat generated by a second current passing through thesecond electrical conductor portion between the second supply lineterminal and the second load line terminal; and a base supporting theservice switch, the first heat sink, and the second heat sink, whereinthe service switch is positioned adjacent to a first side of the base,and the first heat sink and second heat sink are positioned adjacent toa second side of the base opposite the first side, the first heat sinkand the second heat sink positioned at or adjacent to a central portionof the base.
 10. The utility meter of claim 9, wherein the firstelectrical conductor portion carries the first current having a firstphase and the second electrical conductor portion carries the secondcurrent having a second phase different from the first phase.
 11. Theutility meter of claim 9, further comprising a pair of currenttransformers, each of the current transformers positioned adjacent anassociated one of the first load line terminal and the second load lineterminal, each of the current transformers positioned in an associatedrecess.
 12. The utility meter of claim 9, further comprising a currenttransformer including a stacked coil extending around one of the firstsupply line terminal and the first load line terminal, the stacked coiloriented parallel to the base supporting the first supply line terminaland the first load line terminal.
 13. The utility meter of claim 9,wherein the first heat sink is a different type of heat sink than thesecond heat sink.
 14. The utility meter of claim 9, wherein at least oneof the first heat sink or the second heat sink includes a flat plate anda plurality of holes passing through the flat plate.
 15. The utilitymeter of claim 9, wherein the first supply line terminal includes afirst blade configured to engage a first socket, and the second supplyline terminal includes a second blade configured to engage a secondsocket.